Regulation Changes For Treated Septage As A Nutrient On Agricultural Land
Regulation changes
On January 1, 2011 the Ministry of the Environment and the Ministry of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs (OMAFRA) put new rules and guidelines into effect for applying non-agricultural source materials (NASM) to farmland. This change was designed to strengthen the rules and remove overlapping approval processes for farmers and generators of NASM.
Under these new rules, treated septage to be used as a nutrient on agricultural land is treated as a nutrient under the Nutrient Management Act. Previously, it was considered a waste under the Environmental Protection Act.
Please see the chart below for how this change specifically impacts septage handlers
| Previous requirements | Requirements as of January 1, 2011 | |
| Transporting/hauling septage | MOE Waste Management System Certificate of Approval | No change |
| Land applying untreated septage | MOE Waste Disposal Site Certificate of Approval |
On agricultural land: No change On other land: No change |
| Land applying treated septage | MOE Organic Soil Conditioning Site Certificate of Approval |
On agricultural land:NASM Plan prepared by a certified person and approved by OMAFRA On other land: MOE Organic Soil Conditioning Site Certificate of Approval |
| In-truck alkaline stabilized septage | MOE Certificate of Approval | No change |
For more information, please visit:
- The Ontario Ministry of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs’ NASM section
- The Ministry of the Environment’s NASM section
Developing new septage treatment options
Since 2004, the ministry has been working cooperatively with its provincial partners, the Ontario Association of Sewage Industry Services, the University of Guelph and municipalities to develop cost effective septage treatment/management options. This includes several pilot projects and studies which supported the development of standards for treated septage and screening of septage.
The pilot projects and studies include treatment of septage by alkaline stabilization, geomembranes, reed beds and in lagoons.
- Visit the Ontario Rural Wastewater Centre’s site to see their study on alkaline stabilization and screening
Reports or links for other pilot projects and studies will be posted as they become available.
